01-01-2009
( Reply#: 2578 ) |
duane |
The year was 1968 and I was a boy scout from Twin City (EC) council. Along with about 12 other boys and two adult leaders, we were on our way to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico for a week of backpacking and horsecamp adventure. Our trip began at Union Station in downtown Chicago, where we boarded the Denver Zephyr. Unbeknownst to us, several other scout groups were also headed west to Philmont on that train and we filled up a couple of the train cars. Since it was all boys (and male scoutleaders) we were able to make full use of the cars, including the women's rest room. What a surprise to find that the women had a full size couch and a table in a sitting area before you actually got to the toilets! Well, we made good use of that...we sat there and played hearts and crazy 8's for much of our trip to Denver. I don't really remember too much about the train itself, other than it had the observation cars with the glass bubble on top, where you could look out at the scenery.
Roll forward some 40 odd years. A couple of years ago our family took a 3 week trip to Florida. Instead of flying or driving, we decided to take the Amtrack instead. We caught the Empire Builder in Mnpls/St. Paul and took it to Chicago. There we had a sleeper car to Wash. DC, where we had a 6 hour layover so we got to see a couple of Smithsonian museums and memorials. The kids really liked the museums! Then back on a sleeper car and onto Miami. The food and service on the DC to Miami run was excellent and the train staff were wonderful. Quite the opposite on the Chicago to DC run...where the train was late boarding, they didn't even serve us supper (which they were supposed to do) and then they ran out of food the next day. Still, it was an unforgettable trip that we and our kids will long remember. The trains are fading fast...Get yourself and your kids booked for a trainride, or it will soon be only a memory that we can reminisce about here on this forum. However, be aware that train travel isn't cheap. It cost us about $1500 to travel to Florida by train (admittedly it was 1st class with sleepers) and it cost us less than $400 for the 4 of us to fly back by Suncountry airlines (which perhaps is why they are now out of business!) |
01-01-2009
( Reply#: 2579 ) |
Tom J |
In the summer of 1960, when I was just eleven years old, I took a trip with my sister on the California Zephyr. The train ran from Chicago to San Francisco ... well, to Oakland, actually, and then a bus had to be taken over the Oakland Bay Bridge to San Francisco.
My sister, Pauletta, was a "Zephyrette," which was the name given to the ladies who served as social directors on the train. They were similar to stewardesses, but with more authority and more responsibility. There would normally be only one Zephyrette for the whole train.
Sis took me along on one of her trips. It took a full week to get out there to SF and back to Chicago: three days out, a day in SF, and three days back.
That was a trip that I will never forget! I loved every minute of it, and I especially loved riding upstairs in the Vista Dome cars. I was enthralled by the beauty of the Rockies and the Sierras. That was my first look at real mountains, and it was love at first sight.
The train's schedule was purposely arranged so that the most beautiful scenery would be seen in daylight hours during the trip. The Mississippi River was crossed near sunset the first day, the first night was spent crossing the prairies of Iowa, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado, the second day would be spent traversing the Rockies, and then the second night was spent crossing the western Utah and Nevada deserts. The morning of the third day was spent in the Sierra Mountains, with the breathtaking Feather River Canyon being the main attraction.
I only learned about two years ago that I was a stow away on that train. It had never occurred to me to ask my sister who paid for my trip, but I figured my parents probably did. When I asked her, she said that no one paid my way: she had talked to her fellow crew members, and they all told her to just bring me along. That is SO COOL!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-01-2009
( Reply#: 2580 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
The year was 1968 and I was a boy scout from Twin City (EC) council. Along with about 12 other boys and two adult leaders, we were on our way to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico for a week of backpacking and horsecamp adventure. Our trip began at Union Station in downtown Chicago, where we boarded the Denver Zephyr. Unbeknownst to us, several other scout groups were also headed west to Philmont on that train and we filled up a couple of the train cars. Since it was all boys (and male scoutleaders) we were able to make full use of the cars, including the women's rest room. What a surprise to find that the women had a full size couch and a table in a sitting area before you actually got to the toilets! Well, we made good use of that...we sat there and played hearts and crazy 8's for much of our trip to Denver. I don't really remember too much about the train itself, other than it had the observation cars with the glass bubble on top, where you could look out at the scenery.
Roll forward some 40 odd years. A couple of years ago our family took a 3 week trip to Florida. Instead of flying or driving, we decided to take the Amtrack instead. We caught the Empire Builder in Mnpls/St. Paul and took it to Chicago. There we had a sleeper car to Wash. DC, where we had a 6 hour layover so we got to see a couple of Smithsonian museums and memorials. The kids really liked the museums! Then back on a sleeper car and onto Miami. The food and service on the DC to Miami run was excellent and the train staff were wonderful. Quite the opposite on the Chicago to DC run...where the train was late boarding, they didn't even serve us supper (which they were supposed to do) and then they ran out of food the next day. Still, it was an unforgettable trip that we and our kids will long remember. The trains are fading fast...Get yourself and your kids booked for a trainride, or it will soon be only a memory that we can reminisce about here on this forum. However, be aware that train travel isn't cheap. It cost us about $1500 to travel to Florida by train (admittedly it was 1st class with sleepers) and it cost us less than $400 for the 4 of us to fly back by Suncountry airlines (which perhaps is why they are now out of business!)
Thanks for your contribution, Duane! That was interesting reading. I hope others will chime in, too.
So, you were on the Zephyr, too, huh? What a shame that it was discontinued in 1970. The California Zephyr's lifespan is eerily coincident with my childhood.
Its maiden trip was begun on March 20, 1949, and I was born a little over two months later. It's final trip was March 22, 1970, and I would turn 21 just a few weeks later. My trip was taken at very close to the middle of the Zephyr's lifespan.
Oh, there is a California Zephyr today, but it is Amtrak, and I'm sure the service is not the first class service of the original Zephyr. It would still be a great trip, though, I'll bet.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-01-2009
( Reply#: 2582 ) |
Paddy |
I have done a fair amount of train riding in the past, including the
Denver Zephyr in its golden days. There were trips throughout England and Scotland, and once from Paris to Basel, Switzerland.
But the greatest train trip of my life, which must also hold the World Record for the shortest train ride, took place in Hammond.
In my ninth or tenth summer, a friend and I were biking through our haunts in the area of Columbia and 150th. The South Shore bus barn was a regular stop, where we would rummage through the parked buses and pretend we were driving. On that particular day, a switch engine was idling on the EJ&E spur that served LaSalle Steel. The spur ran just south of the Apple Diner, which was on the southeast corner of Columbia and 150th.
We wheeled our bikes onto the gravel along the track and stopped to get a close look at the engine. The engineer waved and yelled, "Do you want to have a look?" We both understood what he meant. He was inviting us into that center of power where engineers whistled mighty warnings to traffic as they demanded the right-of-way.
We didn't hesitate, and clamored up the steps to the cab. It was like being inside a huge rumbling machine that reeked of diesel fuel and grease. The engineer and fireman let us sit in their seats as they pointed out the the myriad of dials, valves and controls.
Then out of the blue, the engineer said, "Do you want to drive it?" Had I been able to talk, he probably would not heard my timid voice over the noise of the idling engine. But I was rendered speechless, and could only nod.
He pointed to a horizontal lever and said, "Put your hand here and push it forward a little." I did, pushing it ever so slightly so I wouldn't hurtle us down the tracks into the LaSalle Steel plant and kill everyone.
The engine began to roll slowly under my command. After moving about 30 feet, I eased the throttle back to the "Idle" position and the engine obediently stopped. I had moved a train and yet was six years too young to get a drivers license. Just thinking about that moment is making my heart beat faster.
I don't remember saying "Thank you," but I remember that the huge smile on my face lasted for hours after that. If I did not thank the engineer, I am sure that he saw it in my grin as my friend and I stepped back down to earth.
|
01-02-2009
( Reply#: 2584 ) |
Pro2am |
Fantastic story, Paddy!
To some this train talk may seem a bit off-topic, but who grew up in this area who wasn't influenced in one way or another by the railroads? They were everywhere and were thus an integral part of our everyday lives.
Fortunatley I still live in Hammond and while there aren't as many tracks as there were 50-60 years ago there's still plenty of action and a whole lot of history. I've grown pretty fond of the Indiana Harbor Belt. Their ex-Michigan Central shops area in northeast Hessville is still there are doing fine - including the 1906-vintage roundhouse and turntable. The sad thing is that within the last 6-7 years they've retired all but two of their 1940s-vintage NW2 switchers. Only #8811 and #8814 remain. These were built around 1949 (they year I was born) and they're still going strong.
Mike Rapchak Jr.
quote:
Originally posted by Paddy
I have done a fair amount of train riding in the past, including the
Denver Zephyr in its golden days. There were trips throughout England and Scotland, and once from Paris to Basel, Switzerland.
But the greatest train trip of my life, which must also hold the World Record for the shortest train ride, took place in Hammond.
In my ninth or tenth summer, a friend and I were biking through our haunts in the area of Columbia and 150th. The South Shore bus barn was a regular stop, where we would rummage through the parked buses and pretend we were driving. On that particular day, a switch engine was idling on the EJ&E spur that served LaSalle Steel. The spur ran just south of the Apple Diner, which was on the southeast corner of Columbia and 150th.
We wheeled our bikes onto the gravel along the track and stopped to get a close look at the engine. The engineer waved and yelled, "Do you want to have a look?" We both understood what he meant. He was inviting us into that center of power where engineers whistled mighty warnings to traffic as they demanded the right-of-way.
We didn't hesitate, and clamored up the steps to the cab. It was like being inside a huge rumbling machine that reeked of diesel fuel and grease. The engineer and fireman let us sit in their seats as they pointed out the the myriad of dials, valves and controls.
Then out of the blue, the engineer said, "Do you want to drive it?" Had I been able to talk, he probably would not heard my timid voice over the noise of the idling engine. But I was rendered speechless, and could only nod.
He pointed to a horizontal lever and said, "Put your hand here and push it forward a little." I did, pushing it ever so slightly so I wouldn't hurtle us down the tracks into the LaSalle Steel plant and kill everyone.
The engine began to roll slowly under my command. After moving about 30 feet, I eased the throttle back to the "Idle" position and the engine obediently stopped. I had moved a train and yet was six years too young to get a drivers license. Just thinking about that moment is making my heart beat faster.
I don't remember saying "Thank you," but I remember that the huge smile on my face lasted for hours after that. If I did not thank the engineer, I am sure that he saw it in my grin as my friend and I stepped back down to earth.
|
01-02-2009
( Reply#: 2585 ) |
Tom J |
Paddy:
What a cool, cool story! Oh, man, I KNOW how exciting that must have been! That is one of the coolest things that could happen to a kid. Heck, I would love to be offered an opportunity like that right now, at 59 years of age.
Thanks for sharing that.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-03-2009
( Reply#: 2590 ) |
duane |
Paddy - you have made all of us green with envy. What a great story!
A couple of other train related items.
Did you all add an exta 15-20 minutes into your schedule for train time? For example, when I was going to Purdue Cal, I always left 15-20 minutes early just in case I got caught by the trains on Indianapolis Blvd (by Calumet Auto Wreckers and by Woodmar Shopping Center). It always seemed funny to me that the viaduct was built over the trainyard, and as soon as you got south of the viaduct, you often got caught by a train!! Also, my girlfriend at the time lived just south of downtown Hammond off of Hohman Avenue (on some loop street between Hohman and the state line). I had to cross lots of track to get there, so I would always leave WAY early for our dates and then if I caught no trains, I'd park a few blocks away and wait until the appointed time to arrive.
On another train matter...how many of you recieved trains for Christmas presents? I had a Lionel Diesel switcher (just like so many of the REAL switchers that operated...and still operate in the area). However, I was always jealous of my brother who had a Marx steam locomotive ('cause I thought the steam loco's were way cool). |
01-03-2009
( Reply#: 2595 ) |
Tom J |
One year when I was real little, maybe six or seven, I got a Lionel train set. The engine was a steam locomotive. The set had a few rail cars with it and some little buildings and trees. It was super cool.
I remember that it would even smoke, if you put some kind of little pill in the smoke stack. I can also remember the rheostat, if that is the right word, that controlled the train would get very warm, and you could smell that hot metallic smell that you often smell on electric motors.
Those were the days!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-03-2009
( Reply#: 2596 ) |
Pro2am |
Tom,
Boy, do I remember that! I had a Marx O-gauge steam loco set, and I'll never forget the smell of that warm transformer! [:)]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
----------------------------------------------
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
One year when I was real little, maybe six or seven, I got a Lionel train set. The engine was a steam locomotive. The set had a few rail cars with it and some little buildings and trees. It was super cool.
I remember that it would even smoke, if you put some kind of little pill in the smoke stack. I can also remember the rheostat, if that is the right word, that controlled the train would get very warm, and you could smell that hot metallic smell that you often smell on eletric motors.
Those were the days!
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG]
|
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2597 ) |
Tom J |
OK, that's the proper term, isn't it? Transformer.
So, you remember that too, huh? COOL!
I don't know what ever happened to my train set, but I sure wish I had it. I wouldn't have a good place to set it up, but I would still like to have it.
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2598 ) |
duane |
I still have my original trainset to this day. While I didn't put it up this year, I often put it up around the Christmas Tree. I had to get the engine motor rebuilt about 10 years ago...it became to weak to pull the cars. I got it rebuilt for around $75 and now it runs good as new. And yes, the transformer STILL gets hot and when the engine jumps the tracks you STILL get that GREAT ozone smell!!! |
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2599 ) |
Tom J |
quote:
Originally posted by duane
I still have my original trainset to this day. While I didn't put it up this year, I often put it up around the Christmas Tree. I had to get the engine motor rebuilt about 10 years ago...it became to weak to pull the cars. I got it rebuilt for around $75 and now it runs good as new. And yes, the transformer STILL gets hot and when the engine jumps the tracks you STILL get that GREAT ozone smell!!!
Cool beans, Duane!
I just found out from my wife that I DO still have my old train set, and it is in the attic space above the carport ceiling. I wish I thought about it sooner. I have just been off work for two weeks and have been bored out of my gourd. It would have been a great time to get that thing down, clean it up, and see if it still works. DANG!
Maybe next weekend.
Tom
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2601 ) |
wvcogs |
Somewhere, I'm not sure just where, I still have a few rusted pieces of the old Marx set my parents gave me for my third birthday way way back in 1945. Let me see, it had a figure eight track with a locomotive, New York Central tender, box car, flat car, caboose, and transformer. This picture I just found on eBay has what I remember as the same locomotive, tender, and caboose. The other two cars are different. When I find the remaining pieces of my old set, I'll get some pictures of them on the site.
Ken...
[img]http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g268/wvcogs72/Marx_Train.jpg[/img] |
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2602 ) |
Tom J |
Can't be sure until I get mine down from the attic, but I THINK this is the same train set that I have. The ad says it was first purchased in 1955, and I do believe that is the most likely year that I got mine, since I would have been six years old that Christmas.
Oh, the guy is saying that the engine number is 2028, but it clearly shows in the picture of the engine itself that the number is 2026.
Tom
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-TRAIN-SET-ENGINE-2028-BORN-IN-1955_W0QQitemZ200292941725QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item200292941725&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2605 ) |
Pro2am |
Tom,
The train set shown in this eBay link you posted looks just like the one I had in the mid-1950s. [:)]
Mike Rapchak Jr.
============================================================
quote:
Originally posted by Tom J
Can't be sure until I get mine down from the attic, but I THINK this is the same train set that I have. The ad says it was first purchased in 1955, and I do believe that is the most likely year that I got mine, since I would have been six years old that Christmas.
Oh, the guy is saying that the engine number is 2028, but it clearly shows in the picture of the engine itself that the number is 2026.
Tom
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIONEL-TRAIN-SET-ENGINE-2028-BORN-IN-1955_W0QQitemZ200292941725QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item200292941725&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG]
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01-04-2009
( Reply#: 2607 ) |
Tom J |
So, are you thinkin' that your set was a Lionel? Or do you just mean that your Marx set looked a lot like that Lionel?
Tom
A 1967 Graduate of Hammond High who cherishes his memories of growing up in the Hammond of the 1950's and 1960's. Bring back those days!
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/tsjay/Tom%20and%20Georgeann/img014.jpg[/IMG] |
08-14-2009
( Reply#: 3542 ) |
BobK |
The only train trip I ever took, other than the South Shore to and from Chicago, was the one in February of 1964 from Chicago to Louisville, KY on my way to Basic Training at Fort Knox. The train left in the evening and had Pullman sleeper cars. By the time we got to Louisville I thought the pillow and been pounded into my ear.
Bob
[img]http://home.comcast.net/~rkekeis/Bob1.jpg[/img] |
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